Project Timeline
December 2018
Founding
Incorporation of Three Nations Energy GP Inc and establishment of Three Nations Energy Limited Partnership.
February 2019
Community Celebration Event
- Community holds an event to celebrate the launch of the joint project.
- Official signing between Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN), Mikisew Cree First Nation (MCFN) and Fort Chipewyan Métis Nation to form Three Nations Energy GP Inc.
- Government of Alberta announces project funding through the Climate Leadership Plan and the Alberta Indigenous Climate Leadership Program
April 2019
Environmental Assessment Starts
The environmental assessment is a key step to ensure there is minimal impact to the environment and community.
August 2019
Phase 1 solar
The 600 kW Phase I solar project is operational and producing enough power for 75 homes.
NRCAN News Release
- Phase I is complete
- 400 kW phase I solar project is operational and producing power with enough power for 75 homes
January 2020
3NE Receives Regulatory Approval
3NE receives regulatory approvals from the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) to construct and operate phase 2 of the solar farm.
February 2020
Site Clearing
Site clearing for phase 2 begins, which involves removing trees and small shrubs.
Material Shipment
- With the increase in the load limit for winter road, materials for the 3NE solar farm are shipped into the Fort Chipewyan community
- Ten truckloads of solar panels, ten truckloads of racking and screw piles for the foundations and two control buildings that will house the inverters and electronics for the farm are transported on the winter road
- ATCO is also bringing in their own materials for the batteries and controls for their plants which will allow them to receive power; this power will be incorporated into the electrical grid.
April 2020
Installation
Construction will consist of putting screw piles in the ground and erecting the frames and racking that the solar panels will sit on.
Once this is complete, the solar panels can be mounted onto the racking.
September 2020
Testing and Startup
Once all of the infrastructure is in place, wiring of the solar farm can occur.
November 2020
Solar Farm Online
Upon completion of testing and startup, the solar farm will begin delivering power to the community, offsetting 25% of the community’s electricity needs from diesel power generation.